“You know, actually I was thinking about that,” Hoiberg said after the Knicks beat the Pacers 90-78. “It doesn’t happen every day.”

Had it ever happened before?

“Last year in [a] game. It was the same exact thing. I had two points at halftime,” said Hoiberg, who noted the lead didn’t last. “Reggie went and scored 25 in the second half.”

Hoiberg only played seven minutes in the first half last night but he gave a lift. Mark Jackson needed a breather. Foul trouble was rearing its head and Travis Best (groin pull) was sitting in street clothes.

“That’s why you play this game, for an opportunity like I had tonight,” Hoiberg said.